Shortly after my presentation last week at the ProjectWorld Regional conference, a business analyst pulled me aside and mentioned that when I was speaking about the concept/role of an "Idea Champion" within the innovation management context, she couldn't help but think of the definition/role of a "Project Sponsor."

Great point!

The roles of Project Sponsor and Idea Champion are indeed very similar:

PROJECT SPONSOR	IDEA CHAMPION
Secures funding for projects	Seeks funding sources for ideas
Secures key resources for project delivery	Establishes a skilled resource  pool for creativity and innovation
Represents the project at key communication/status meetings	"Owns" the lifecycle of the idea
Provides strategic alignment	Ensures strategic alignment
Approves plans, schedules and budgets	Ensures the idea moves through the appropriate idea/innovation management processes
Clears roadblocks to success	Identifies and clears roadblocks
Communicates project benefits	Ensures the idea has tangible business benefit or kills/shelves the idea

In addition to the responsibilities/similarities listed above, the Idea Champion is usually also responsible for the following:

• Fostering a climate of innovation (risk taking, fast failure, etc.)
• Serving as the "Chief Collaboration Officer" and "Chief Innovation Cheerleader" inside the organization
• Breaks down silos and internal barriers
• Serves as a key change agent within the organization
• Supports, recognizes and rewards any behavior that leads to the successful generation (and implementation) of ideas

Find people willing to serve as Idea Champions inside your organization and set them free to discover, adopt, support, manage and breathe life into new ideas today!!!